Cultivator structure



Sept. 22, 1931. J., R. KQVAR ET AL 1,824,603

CULTI VATOR STRUCTURE Filed Nov. l. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .l vll ml Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED fsrArES vvFPATIIIN'I oFFIiCE .froHN a, KoV'AitA'n-nr Louis w. KovAit, or oWA'iioNNA, MINNESOTA l f cULTIvAToR STRCTURE Application med November 1, 192s. serial No. 316,390.

This invention relates to an agricultural implement, such Vas a harrowcorcultivator, and while the various r'features Aof the invention could be used on yvarious .types of liarrows `or similar implements, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated,'the same is shown applied to a spring tooth harrow.

It is desirable in such Aan implement orV hai'row to have sectionsy which are flexibly constructed and whichare flexibly connected to the draft means and it is desirable vto support the various sections at. the `desired distance from vthe groundgovei1 which they are travelling.

It is an object of thisinvention to provide a harrow comprisin'ga sectionhaving spaced side bars flexibly carried by tootheach section to said. tie bar and supporting the saine froin'said tie bar independently of said runners.

It is also-an object of this invention `to provide a harrowhaving supporting'wheels, Y

one or more tooth-carrying -sectionseach comprising spaced drag ybars flexibly con- Y nected by a plurality of tooth-carrying memf bers, means supporting said sectionsl from the wheels, a tie bar having supportingmeans, and means flexiblyconnecting the endsof the drag bars to said-tien bai ,-,said

drag bars being connected byfsaid ltoothcairying members and said tie bar.

It is still another object of the invention to provideY a'harrow or similar implement comprising, a plurality of tooth-carrying sections, a wheel between adjacent sections and a wheel at the outer sides of the outer sections, an axle connecting said wheels and 4in', horizontal section;

l12-12 kof Fig.

comprising fienibly connected sections together withV a seat carrying frame having a side portion disposed at either sideV of said irst mentioned wheel and one of which is rockably connected to the section of theq axle f at one sideof said wheel.V It is still another object'of the invention toprovide a harrow comprising, supporting wheels 'and tooth-carrying sections,

.means flexibly 4supporting said sections from said wheelsr`andguard means preventing said sections from engaging said wheels. .s

These and. other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forthin the following description madekin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in which f n Fig. 1 is aplan view of the-device;

Fig. 2 is-a vertical sectionk taken on line 2 2 y of Fig. 1;

`Fig?) is a vertical section ktaken on line 3-.3ofFig.1;-v

Fig. 4 is a partial plan View;

Fig. 5 is a View as seen from the right of Fgflr e a Fig..6 isv-,a partial plan view, parts thereof being broken away and other parts shown 'Fig.-7 is a l'vertical section tially on line 7-7 of Fig. l; t

Fig...8 is a View in elevation as seen from the left-of- Fig. 7; A Y

Fig. 9 is` a vertical 'section taken on line 2)*9 of Figicge Fig. 10 is a partial -viewv in ,frontelevation showing the connectiony Vof the frame andtie bar; v .i

` 11 is a partial View taken on line Fig. 1 2 isa vertical section .taken on line 'y Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on line 18-13 of Fig.12;A

Fig. 14 is a partial plan view showing the connection ofthe axle sections, portions being broken* away and otherportions shown in horizontal section;

taken substanf io Fig. 15 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 15-15 of Fig. 16, and

Fig. 16 is: a partial view in side elevation showing guard means for the sections of the harrow.

rlhe figures above set fo th are taken as indicated by thearrows, andy Fig. 17 is a partial view in of the seat and support.

Referring to the drawings, a harrow or cultivator is shown Comprising a plurality of tooth-carrying sections, and while the number of sections may be varied, in the embodiment of the invention vas illustrated, said harrow is shown as comprising two sections. Each section -includes spaced drag bars 20 vwhich are flexibly connected by a plurality of transversely extending toothfront elevation carrying members 21, shownin the form of tubes or hollow shafts. Drag bars 20 are'in the form of angle bars and have bearing brackets 22 secured thereto by the headed `and nutted-bolts 23' which bearing brackets have apertures through which the ends of shafts 21 extend. The shafts 21 have secured thereto by the headed and nutted bolts 24saddle plates 25, each' having spaced flanges 25a having adjacent sides curving l away from each other and embracing the brackets 22, which permit movement of shaft 21 in various directions relative to the brackets 22 and drag bars 20. v The shafts 21 have secured thereto at spaced intervals the spring teeth 26, one end of each of said teeth extending partially aroundrshaft 21 and being connected thereto by a headed and nutted bolt 27 which also passes through a shoe'28 engaging the outer side ofthe tooth 26. The teeth 26 are of the shape sh'ownin Figs. 1 and 2, the same having pointed ends, and said teeth'are shown as of extra thickness between the sides of said pointed or tapered front end portion. The forward shafts 21 have connected thereto the arms 31 while the rear shaft 21 has connected thereto the yarm`32.A The arms 31 'and 32 are pivotally connected to a `llinkibar 33. Arm 32'constitutes a lever having an upwardly extending handle portion to which .is connected the' pawl grip 34-connected by the usual pawl rod 35, with the pawl adapted to lit in any one ofthehnotches of a segment 36y secured to the rear of linkbar 33. The; lever arm 32V can therefore be swung to simultaneously oscillate the-shafts 21. The members 21 constitute the only connection between drag bars 20. The drag bars 2O have securedto their inner sides the lower ends ofchains 37, the upper links of which are Vconnectedy to a headed and nutted bolt 38 extending through the spaced ends of a clip 39 secured to an axle section 40. The clip 39 has a laterally extending portion with a projectinfr'lip 39a extending toward axle section A40. A wheel 41 is provided disposed between the adjacent sections of the harrow and wheels 42 are provided disposed at the outer sides of the outer sections of the harrow. These wheels are journaled on axle sections 40, which axle sections are flexibly connected as shown in Fig. 14. One section has bolted thereto a ball member 43 which is received in another ball member 44, in turn bolted to the other axle section' 40. The wheels 42 also have hub members 42a provided with outer cylindrical flanges'42b. These flanges are embraced by the semi-annular members 45 disposed at opposite sides of the axle 40 and clamped thereto by the headed and nutted bolts 46 as shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 9. Bracing rods 47 embrace the axle sections 40, the same being closely adjacent clips 39 and held from lateral movement bythe lips 39a. These rods extend forwardly and are bent substantially at right angles at their forward ends and secured in the vertical flanges of angle bars 20 by the cotterpins 47 a.

Plates 48 are disposed at each side of the wheel 41 having flanges. 48a partially embracing axle 40 and extend at eitherl side thereof, said flanges being connected by the headed and nutted bolt-s 49 to flanges 50, axle 40 being clamped between said flanges. The flanges 48a and 50 have at their central portions which engage the axle 40 inwardlyextending circumferential ribs 48?) and 50a which are substantially semi-circular in radial cross section. These ribs extend into a substantially semi-circular groove 40a formed in the axle. With this construction it is seen that a lateral rocking movement can occur between the plate 48 andthe axle 40. Plates 48 extendverticallyand have bolted thereto the lower ends of said` frame portions 51, which extend upwardly and have having a spherical recess therebetween inA which bolt a is held. The frame members :i

53-lhave a transverse bar 58 secured thereto intermediate their ends which bar has its end up-tiirned and forms a foot rest. Brace bars 59 also extend from the side portions 51 downwardly to the bars 53, the saine bef' ing bolted respectively to said bolts and bars. A tie bar V60 lextends across the front of the sections, the same being supported -upon runners 61vwhich have secured thereto upystanding pms 62 extending vthrough and journaled in spaced lplates 63 bolted to the '50p and bottom of tie bar 60 andprojecting forwardly therefrom. A collar` 64 is bolted to pin 62 and disposed between the plates 63, thus preventingremoval of pin62. The

drag bars 2 0 are each connected to the tie 'bar 60 and supported therefrom independently of the runners v61 by a clevis oryoke 65. said member embracingtiebar 6() and having a flat headed bolt 66y constitutinga vertical pivot extending through the holes thereof and tie ba'r 60. Member. 65 is swivelly connected bythe rivet 67. to a rearwardf lly extending fork member 68 which loosely -drag bars with the tie bar and itwill be noted that thesaid dragy bars are supported independently of the runners.. n The hole through said horizontal flange is somewhat larger in .diameter than ythe diameter of bolt 69. Y

Aibar 70 extends downward from the outer end of each axle section 40, said bar extending around oneside of said axle and being clamped thereto by a plate 71 also extending about the other side of said axle and being connected to bar 70 by the headed and nutted bolts 7 2. Bar 7 6 at its lower end extends into the rectangular open fra-.me formed by three short bars 73 riveted together and to the horizontal flange of angle or drag bar 20. Bar 70 and bars 73 form a guard preventing the sections fromswinging into the wheels 41 and 42.

The cultivator is drawn forwardly by traction means connected to a link 74 in which are received the eyeleted ends of links 7 5 having eyelets at their rear ends passing through the clevises 7 6 which embrace tie bar 66 and are secured thereto by one of the boltssecuringthe plates 63.

In operation the harrow will `be drawn forwardly over the ground and the levers 32 will be adjusted to swing the rock shafts 21 so that the points of the teeth 26 will enter the ground to the desired depth. The tie bar is supported on the runners 61, which runners can swing about vertical axes and the drag bars 20 are connected-to and supported from the tie bar 60 independently of the runners 61. The connection of the drag bars to thetie vbar is a flexible one and there is considerable flexibility in the harrow sections themselves on account of the range of movement between the rock shafts 21 and drag bars 20. The intermediate Wheel or Wheels 41 will insure that the sections will move substantially parallel with thereof. It will be seen that the teeth 26 kare staggered on the rock shafts 21 so that the paths made by all of the teeth are in substantially equally spaced relation. With the flexibly connected. axle sections, if the portions of saidframe 51 were connected rigidly to the wheels, there would be `a racking movement given to the frame when the axle sectionsvmoved relatively to each other. For .this reason one or both of the side por,- tions of frame 51 are rockably connected by members 48 and 50 as described. This relieves the racking movement and strain on the said frame. The bars canmove laterally in the opening between -bars 73 and the drag bar 20 for a considerable distance,

`but will strike the sides of the opening before the sections swingv into the wheels. The engagement of the sections andwheels is thus prevented while at thesametime the harrow sections can move aconsiderable distance'laterally. It will be noted that the drag bars 20. are spaced and positioned only by the rock shafts 21 and the tie bar ,60.v

Y From the above description it is seen that applicant-,has provided ai simple and eilicient structure of harrow or cultivator and one in which the number of parts is quite small. The structure is very simple but Aat the same timethe implement is very ruggedly and durably made. The device has been amply Vdemonstrated in actual practice f' and found to be very successful and efficient. The invention disclosed in the present `applicationmay be considered yas an iinparts, Without departingfrom the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carry# ing out the objects above setV forth, in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

vVVhatpis claimedV is g l.V A harrow having in combination, a plurality of tooth-carrying,sections each comprisi'ng spacedY drag bars flexibly connected solely by a plurality of tooth-carrying members, a tie ybar at the front of said sections, a plurality Yof runners pivotally connected to saidtie bar about vertical axes and' disposed Within the outer drag bars and flexible means directly connecting said drag bars to said tie bar and'supporting said dragv bars independently ofsaid runners.

2. A barrow having in combination, a pluyrality of tooth-carrying sections, each comprising a pair of spaced drag bars, toothcomprising carryii'ig means flexiblyl connecting said drag bars, a wheel disposed-between adjacent sections, a wheel at the outer side or' each end section, an axlel for said wheels comprising i'lexibly connected sections, means for supporting said ha-rrovv sections from said axle, 'a tie bar at the front of said sections, runners pivotally connected to said tie bar for supporting the same and means flexibly connecting said drag bars to said tie bar and supporting said drag bars independently of saidrunners. j

3. YA harrow having in combination, a plurality of tooth-carrying sections, a wheel disposed ,between'adjacent sections, a wheel at theouter side of each 'of the outer sections, an axle for said wheels comprising lexiblyA connected sections and a seat frame having side portions disposed at either side of said lirst mentioned wheel and connected respectively to the sections of said axle at either sidev of saidgwlieel, one o said portions being connected to its respective axle section for lateral rocking movement on said axle.

4. YA harrow having in combination, a plurality of tooth-carrying sections, a wheel disposed between adjacent sections, a wheel at the outei` side of each of the outer sections7 an axle for said wheel', means for 'fiexi "bly supporting said harrowA sections from of transverse tooth-carrying members, a tie bar Y spaced from and disposed Yforwardly of the forward ends of said drag bars, means connecting each of said drag bars to said tie bar, said means comprising a member having a yoke embracing said tie bar and vconnected the-reto by a vertical pivot, 'and a member swivelly connected to said first mentioned member for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis, said latter member being connected to the forward end of a drag'bar by a vertical pivot and Wheels at the louter sides of said-tooth-carrying section.

6. A harrow having in combination, a

Vpluralityv of tooth-carrying sections, each comprising a pair of spaced drag bars flexiblyconnected by a plurality of tooth-carrying members, a tie bar disposed forwardly of said sections, a wheel at the outer side of each end section, an axle for said wheels flexibly connected sections, means for suspending said tooth-carrying sections from said axle, means for supporting said tie bar from the ground and means connecting each ofsaid drag bars to said tie bar, said means including an element connected to said tie bar by a vertical pivot and a second element sWivelly connected to said first mentioned element vfor pivotal movement` on a horizontal axis, said second element having a pivotal connection with the forward end of the dragbar on a vertical axis. 'v

7. A harrow havingin combination, a plurality of tooth-carrying sections each comprising spaced drag bars iexibly connected vby a plurality of tooth-carrying members, a -Wheel at the outer side of each end section, an axle for said Wheels comprising lexiblyconnected sections, means including connections between said axle and the forward ends of saiddrag bars for Lsupporting said tooth-carrying sections from said'axle, a tie bar disposed forwardly of said tooth-carrying sections, runners pivotally connected to said tie bar for supporting the same and means flexibly connecting the forward end ot said drag ybars with said tie bar, the forward ends of said drag bars being supported independently Vof said runners.

In testimonywhereof We aiiix our signatures. v

.JOHN R; KOVAR.

LOUIS W. KOVAR. 

